Concealable platform



V. E. MARK CONCEALABLE PLATFORM Aug. 11, 1959 Filed March 11, 1957 3-Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllll INVENTOR. VENNICE E. MARK ATTORN EYB s- 1, 1959v. E. MARK 2,899,250

CONCEALABLE PLATFORM Filed March 11, 1957 5' Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

'VENN \CE E. MARK ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1959 v. E. MARK 2,899,250

CONCEALABLE PLATFORM Filed March 11, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WWW w I nmnmmv INVENTOR.

Venn/0e E. Mark A T TORNE Y8 CONCEALABLE PLATFORM Vennice E. Mark, EastGrand Rapids, Mich. Application March 11, 1957, Serial No. 645,236

3 Claims. (Cl. 312--21) This invention relates to furniture, and moreparticularly to a concealable support for a typewriter or other machine.

While this invention may be used in an olfice or other businessestablishment, it is specifically intended to provide a neat, convenientand compact typewriter support for home use. The invention provides, asa combina tion, a table to support the machine while in use andconcealed storage for it when not in use. It has the additionaladvantage of providing both of these facilities without requiring themachine to be removed from the unit.

This invention permits various types of furniture to be used as acombination typewriter stand and storage facility. For example, it maybe incorporated in a desk, night stand, end table, telephone stand orcabinet of any nature. The nature of the invention is such that the dualpurpose of the furniture is entirely camouflaged.

This invention has the further advantages of simplicity and economy inmanufacture. Its ease of operation adapts it to home use.

This invention solves the problem of using such equipment as typewritersin the home. Heretofore, the only facilities adapted for home use werestands which provided, at best, exposed storage. The only availablestorage facilities were either cupboards or drawers. These require themachine to be moved from its place of storage to its place of use at thebeginning and end of each use. This invention solves these problems.

This invention provides a firm support for the machine which willwithstand the vibration incident to the use of many types of equipment.Yet it requires minimum effort of the operator to raise and lower theequipment. Its simplicity assures freedom from mechanical ditficulty anddurability in operation.

These and other advantages of this invention will be recognizedimmediately by those skilled in the design and manufacture of furnitureupon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an oblique view of this invention with the front wall of thehousing removed to expose the interior and illustrating the platform instorage position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional, elevational view taken along the plane IIII ofFig. 3, showing the platform in raised position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the invention showing the platform in storage.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevation view of the supportinglatch for the platform.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, elevation View takenalong the plane VV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the handle for manipulatingthe end leaves.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional elevation view of thehold-down latch for the platform taken along the plane VIIVII of Fig. 3.

Patented Aug. 11, 1959 Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevationview taken along the plane VIlIVlII of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an oblique view of a unit of furniture incorporating thisinvention.

Fig. 10 is an oblique view of a framework for containing the platform.

Fig. ll is an oblique view of the framework illustrated in Fig. 10mounted in a housing and with the housing platform partially broken toexpose the interior.

In the following description, the invention is described as one for atypewriter. This is only for convenience and is not to be considered asa limitation of the use of this invention to typewriters. It may be usedwith any type of machine of such compact structure that it may beconcealed within the storage chamber. For example, it may be used forsuch equipment as a kitchen mixer or other small home appliances.

In executing the objects and purposes of this invention, there has beenprovided a storage well or chamber in combination with a foldableplatform. The platform, when open, is fiat and rests upon the top of thewell and when closed is U-shaped and telescopes entirely into thestorage well. In raised position, the platform is supported at eachcorner by a latch member. The latches engage the bottom of the platformand prevent it from moving down into the storage well. Each of thehinges securing the end leaves to the center portion of the platform hasa free end which, as the end leaf is pivoted up to prepare the platformfor storage, engages the latch and moves it outwardly. This disengagesthe latches from the platform and frees the platform for downwardmovement into the storage chamber. The entire platform is biasedupwardly by a spring to facilitate the movement of the platform into andout of the storage chamber.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates ahousing having end walls 11 and 12, a front wall 13 and a back wall 14.The lower end of the housing is closed by a bottom Wall 15 (Fig. 2),creating a storage chamber 16 open only at the top.

The housing 10 may be a separate unit within itself or it may be anintegral part of a larger piece of furniture such as a desk, an endtable, a cabinet, a corner table or a night stand. This is illustratedby the night stand 17 (Fig. 9) in which the storage compartment isconcealed behind the dummy drawer front 18 while the lower portion ofthe night stand, behind the door 19, retains its traditional structureand function. Access to the compartment is obtained by raising thehinged top 20. Integration of this invention into such furniture piecesdoes not change it, but rather serves the purpose of blending it intoits surroundings or of concealing its actual purpose.

To facilitate and simplify the understanding and description of thisinvention, it is illustrated as a separate unit. It should, however, beconsidered that the housing described in the following specification andillustrated in the several figures may constitute an integral part of alarger piece of furniture.

Associated with the housing 10 is a platform 30 having a central portion31 and a pair of end leaves or portions 32 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Each ofthe end portions 32 is secured to the central portion 31 by a pair ofhinges 33 (Figs. 1 and 5). These hinges are located at the four cornersof the platform. Each consists of a stationary arm 34 and a swinging arm35. The stationary arms 34 are firmly secured to the central portion 31and at one end each is pivotally secured at 36 to a swinging arm 35. Twoof the swinging arms 35 are firmly secured to each of the end portions32 and rotate with the end portions 32 about the pivot point 36 as theattitude of the end portions is changed with respect to the centralportion 31 of the platform. When the stationary and swinging arms 34 and35 are aligned, as when the platforrnis in its open position, the hingesare restrained from pivotal movement by engagement of the detent6 andthe stop 38. These are on the free ends 39 of the swinging arms 35. Asthe end portions 32 are swung upwardly about the pivot 36, the free ends39 of the arms 35 swing downwardly and outwardly. The importance of thiswill appear more fully hereinafter.

Depending from the bottom of the platform'are a pair of legs 40. Theseengage the bottom 15 of the storage chamber and thereby preventexcessive compression of the spring 41 (Fig. 3). The spring 41 ismounted at the center of the platform. It has one end bearing againstthe under surface of the platform and the other end hearing against thebottom of the storage chamber. The spring 41 is designed to bias theplatform upwardly with sufiicient force to greatly facilitate theraising of the plat form when the platform is loaded with an instrumentsuch as a typewriter. v p

To prevent the ends of the spring 41 from moving laterally, they arepreferably stabilized by a disc shaped block 42 at each end. The blocks42 are secured to the adjacent structure. The spring seats closely aboutthe blocks 42.

Stability of the platform, as it is being manipulated, can be increasedby using a plurality of the springs 41 such as one at each corner of theplatform. In this case, each spring will be weaker and their combinedstrengths will approximate that of the single spring 42.

To prevent the platform from being accidentally raised entirely free ofthe storage chamber 16, particularly when it is not loaded, suitablestops are provided. While these stops may have various constructions, itis sufiicient to illustrate them as consisting of a stop bar 43 firmlymounted to the upper end of the front and back panels 13 and 14,respectively, of the housing 10 (Fig. 8). These are engaged by L-shapedstop shoes 44 secured to the bottom surface of the platforms centralportion 31.

Preferably, a slight gap is left between the stop bars 43 and stopstrips 44 when the platform is in normal, open operating position. Thisis desirable to permit the platform to be raised slightly above thisposition to assure complete outward movement of the pivoted latches 50hereinafter described.

At each of the four corners of the housing 10 is a supporting latch 50.The supporting latches are so mounted that the upper ends of the latchesare substantially flush with the top of the housing 10. Each latchconsists of a pair of leaves, the lower leaf 51 of which is firmlysecured to the housing 10 (Figs. 4 and The upper leaf 52 is pivoted tothe lower leaf and is biased inwardly of the chamber 16 by a spring 53.Each supporting latch 50 is seated in a recess 54 of such depth that theinner surface of the latch is flush with the inner surface of thehousing 10.

A strike plate 55 is secured to the bottom surface of the centralportion 31 of the platform 30 for engaging the latch when the platformis raised. The strike plate 55 serves the dual purpose of preventing thelatch from embedding itself in the platform when the latter is of arelatively soft material such as wood and of compensating for thelowering of the upper end of the latch when pivoted to its inwardposition. The latches 50 are so located that the upper or pivoted leaf52 is contacted by the free end of the swinging arm 35 of each of thehinges 33 as the platform is folded. The purpose of this will beexplained under Operation.

To prevent the platform from being raised by the spring 41, when instorage, as shown in. Fig. 3, it is necessary to provide a pair ofhold-down latches 56 (Fig. 7) consisting of a latch plate 57 secured tothe under surface of each of the end portions 32 and a keeper plate 58secured to the top of the inside surface of each of the side walls 11and 12 of the housing 10. The keeper plates 53 are flush with the insidesurfaces of the Walls 11 and 12. Behind each keeper plate 58 is a of anysuitable design, they are preferably of a type which, when folded, weflush with the surface of the end leaves 32 and have a handle 61pivotable into operating position.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a modification of this invention. Thisprovides an arrangement by which the platform and its necessaryoperating structure may be fabricated as a self-contained unit ready forinstallation in a piece of furniture. In this case the platform 30 ismounted in a chassis or framework 70 having a base 71 and four cornerposts 72 rigidly secured to the base. The tops of the posts 72 along thefront and back are connected by bars 73 and along the sides by rails 74.The keeper plates 58 of the hold-down latches are secured to the siderails'74. The discs 42 for the platform biasing springs 41 are securedto the base 71 by screws 75.

The framework 70 is designed to be seated entirely within the storagechamber 16 with the base 71 resting up on the floor 15 (Fig. 11). Theframework 70 is secured to the housing by screws 76 (Fig. 11) installedthrough the holes 77 (Fig. 10). It will be recognized that thesefasteners may be relocated at any other point in the framework 70 suchas through the base 71 or rails 74. When the framework 70 is installedin the housing 1, its top is flush with the top of the housing.

The construction of the platform 30 remains the same as that illustratedin Figs. 1, 2 and 5 except to adapt its dimensions to fit within theframework. The stop shoes 44 cooperate with the bars 73 (Fig. 11). Theplatform supporting latches are mounted to the frame at each of its fourcorners. Suitable recesses 78 are made in the posts 72 to seat thelatches 50. The operationof the latches 5t and their cooperation withthe platform 30 is identical to that illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5.

Theconstruction illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 makes it possible tofabricate the platform and its associated operating structure as anintegrated unit of various standardized sizes. These units may then beincorporated in a piece of furniture, a kitchen cabinet or a cupboard byconstructing them with a storage chamber of the correct dimensions.

Operation To obtain access to the platform 30, the cover 65 is firstlifted. This exposes the top of the storage chamber 16.

To release the platform 30, the handles 61 are moved into operatingposition and the platform is depressed further into the storage chamber16 until the legs 40 touch the floor 15. This is sufficient to disengagethe latch plates 57 from the keeper plates 58 (Fig. 7). The end portions32 are then pivoted inwardly enough to permit the latch plates 57 tomove upwardly past the keeper plates 58.

With the aid of the spring 41, the platform may then be raised until itis out of the storage chamber 16. As it moves past the supportinglatches 50, the movable leaves 52 of these latches are held in therecesses 54 but press inwardly against the free ends of the movable arms35 of the hinges 33. The platform is then opened by folding the endportions 32 downwardly.

As the end portions 32 are opened, the free ends of the arms 35 of thehinges 33 move inwardly and upwardly, permitting the pivoted leaves 52of the supporting latches 50 to follow them until they engage under thestrike plates (Fig. 5). Once engagement has occurred, the

platform is solidly supported by the supporting latches 50. The pivotedleaves 52 of the latches 50 are moved positively into engagement withthe platform by the inward biasing of springs 53.

It is thus seen that the platform, in open position, is positivelysupported and has no tendency to move downwardly into the storagechamber 16 even though it is subjected to vibration or heavy loads.Stability of the platform is highly desirable because a weak andunstable support for a kitchen appliance or a machine such as atypewriter interferes severely With the machines proper use.

While the strength of the spring 41 biasing the platform 30 upwardly maybe selected to fit the circumstances of each particular application, itis preferably such that it will not, when the platform is loaded with aninstrument, raise the platform entirely out of the storage chamber 16Without some assistance. The object of the spring is to materiallyreduce rather than entirely replace the manual effort required of theoperator.

To return the platform to the storage chamber 16, the platforms endportions 32 are folded upwardly until they are substantially normal tothe central portion 31. As the end portions 32 pivot upwardly, the freeends of the arms 35 rotate downwardly and outwardly. In so doing, theypush the pivoted leaves 52 of the latches 50 outwardly into or partiallyinto their respective recesses 54. This disengages the supportinglatches 50, permitting the platform 30 to telescope past them into thestorage chamber 16.

The platform is depressed into the storage chamber until the legs 40bottom on the floor 15. The end portions 32 are then moved outwardly andthe platform permitted to rise until the holding latch plates 57 engagethe keeper plates 58, thus locking the platform in storage position. Thedepth of the storage chamber is such that the machine resting on theplatform is completely received within the storage chamber, permittingthe cover 65 to be closed without interference. It is, thus, unnecessaryto remove the machine from the platform either for storage or for use.This invention provides both an efficient and stable working platformand completely concealed storage where the machine will be protectedfrom dust and possible injury.

The simplicity of the various components used in this invention adaptsit to inexpensive manufacture. Despite this, the inventionsimultaneously provides both complete storage and positive support forthe machine when in operation. It provides a solution to the problems ofstorage and use of numerous types of compact machines in the home. Italso provides a unit which may be adapted to various types of furnitureor cabinets either specifically designed therefor or camouflaged asbeing adapted to entirely difierent purposes.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention and amodification thereof, it will be recognized that other modifications maybe made. Such of these modifications as incorporate the principle ofthis invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafterappended claims unless these claims, by their language, expressly stateotherwise.

I claim:

1. A combination work and storage unit, comprising: a hollow housingopen at the top for defining a storage chamber; a platform having acenter portion and a pair of end leaves hingedly connected theretowhereby said leaves may pivot upwardly with respect to said centerportion; said platform when said leaves are folded up:- wardly being ofa size to vertically telescope into said storage chamber; a plurality oflatches each having a keeper portion and a pocket portion, one of saidportions of each of said latches being on said housing and the other onsaid platform; each of said keeper portions being resiliently biased toengage said pocket portions when said platform is raised to the top ofsaid housing; said platform in said raised position being adapted torest upon said latches and the sides of said housing and in loweredposition to be entirely received within said housing; arms on saidleaves disposed to engage said keeper portions and retract them toplatform releasing position as said leaves are folded upwardly.

2. A combination work and storage unit, comprising: a hollow housingopen at the top for defining a storage chamber; a platform having acenter portion and a pair of end leaves hingedly connected theretowhereby said leaves may pivot upwardly with respect to said centerportion; said platform when said leaves are folded upwardly being of asize to vertically telescope into said storage chamber; a plurality oflatches each having a keeper portion and a pocket portion; said keeperportions being mounted on said housing and said pocket portions being onsaid platform; each of said keeper portions being resiliently biased toengage said pocket portions when said platform is raised to the top ofsaid housing; said platform in said raised position being adapted torest upon said latches and the sides of said housing and in loweredposition to be entirely received within said housing; arms on saidleaves disposed to engage said keeper portions and retract them toplatform releasing position as said leaves are folded upwardly.

3. A piece of furniture having walls defining a storage chamber open atthe top; a chassis having upstanding side members; said entire chassisseated in said storage chamber; a platform having a center portion and apair of hinged end portions adapted to pivot upwardly with respect tosaid center portion into a U-shaped member of a size to betelescopically received entirely within said chassis; a plurality oflatching elements mounted on said walls of said storage chamber, eachhaving a pivoted leaf adapted to engage the under side of said centerportion of said platform when said platform is seated on the top of saidchassis; resilient means biasing said leaves into engagement with theunderside of said platform for supporting said platform in raisedposition; arms on said hinged end portions disposed to make slidingengagement with said leaves and retract said leaves to platformreleasing position as said hinged end portions are folded upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS249,590 Coles Nov. 15, 1881 328,475 Ford Oct. 20, 1885 1,376,997 BorglumMay 3, 1921 1,713,863 Bertani May 21, 1929 2,575,045 Chason Nov. 13,1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 696,154 Great Britain a Aug. 19,1953

